South County residents are invited to attend the annual
Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, in the Morgan Hill
Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
1790 East Dunne Ave.
South County residents are invited to attend the annual Community Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, in the Morgan Hill Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1790 East Dunne Ave.
More than two decades ago, this event had its origin as a performance held by and for local Mormons. As word of the concert spread, other friends and neighbors began to attend, and the focus changed to making it “a truly community event.”
For the past several years the concert has been co-sponsored with St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church. This cooperative effort serves as a witness to the ideal of Christian unity. Members of two very different traditions come together to share the Christmas spirit with each other and provide free entertainment to the whole community.
There will be a variety of entertainers performing that night, including two featured guest professional artists:
– Deborah Colling Suzuki, a noted soprano, has performed around the world in a variety of venues, from showcase groups to television to the Opera Institute of California. She will be accompanied by Les Stringfellow, a tenor who has performed at numerous events and is a regular soloist for productions of “The Messiah” throughout the Bay Area and Central California.
– St. Catherine’s Teen Worship Band, Children’s Chorus, PHIL-AM Choir and Angelica Choir
– Gilroy’s St. Mary Catholic Church Men’s Choir
– The Zion Youth Choir, made up of youth ages 16-18 from Hollister to Los Altos
– A Multi-Church Ensemble from Gilroy performing Celtic music, with members representing St. Mary, Gilroy Presbyterian Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
– The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Morgan Hill Stake Choir
– Reception music is provided by South Valley Suzuki String Academy
This year’s theme is “Let Us Adore Him” and will feature music of a traditional Christian style (as opposed to popular commercial or secular tunes). Examples of carols to be performed are “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, “Joyful, Joyful” and “What Child Is This?”. The audience will be invited to participate in singing the always-popular “Silent Night” as well as the grand finale number, “Joy to the World”.
Following the concert, all are invited to a reception in the Cultural Hall for refreshments and an opportunity to begin celebrating Christ’s birth with friends and family. Diana Dufur, spokesperson for the organizing committee, calls this “an ideal opportunity to get the spirit of Christmas in our hearts at the beginning of the season.”
For more information, call (408) 847-2875.
Hollister churches present first Community Christmas Concert
Several Hollister churches will hold their first annual San Benito Community Christmas concert at the San Benito High School Auditorium (1220 Monterey St.) beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 4. Mayor Victor Gomez will welcome the audience to entertainment provided by these local groups:
– Ballet Folklorico Maripoza
– Grace Bible Church Choir
– USA Sports GLEE “Rising Stars”
– Oriana Chorale
– Vocal soloist Heidi Henderson
– The Hollister Presbyterian Church Choir
– Hollister LDS Choir
– The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Choir
Call (831) 287-2875 for more information.
Church offers Morgan Hill Midweek Worship
For some time members of Morgan Hill’s Advent Lutheran Church (16870 Murphy Ave.) have felt that the community needed more worship opportunities during the week. Recently it was decided to offer a midweek worship service open to the whole community: shoppers and workers downtown, people at the new courthouse and any local residents who would like to participate.
It will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from noon to 12:45 p.m. The simple liturgy, presided over by Pastor Anita Warner, will include prayer, scripture readings, Holy Communion and prayers for healing as requested. Everyone is welcome to attend this service, whether attending another church or none.
For more information, call (408) 779-3551.
